The gel polish lamp can be ultraviolet, light emitting diode (LED), hybrid and CCFL. Each type of equipment differs in power, type of luminous flux, and the presence of additional functions. The drying time of the coating depends on what exactly is chosen for the job, and it can range from 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
The most popular lamps are considered to be hybrid ones, but they are expensive – some models will cost 20 thousand rubles. For home use, it is better to choose ultraviolet or LED devices - their cost is several times lower and does not exceed 5 thousand rubles. There are also very cheap options on sale - mini-lamps for individual use, their cost starts from 300 rubles.
Why do you need a lamp for gel polish?
A lamp for gel polish is needed so that the material used hardens and becomes a full-fledged, reliable coating. If acrylic and gel for nail extensions of the first generation are able to harden only under ultraviolet rays, then modern gel polishes are made with such a composition that polymerization proceeds well in LED lamps.
Depending on what type of equipment is chosen, you can clearly calculate the time required to fix/harden each layer of gel polish.
We recommend reading the article about the difference between gel polish and shellac. From it you will learn what is the difference between gel polish and shellac, what is better and what is more harmful, and also how to extend the wearing period. And here is more information about how to remove shellac at home.
How does a gel polish drying lamp work?
Inside each lamp for drying gel polish there are light bulbs that emit light waves of a certain length. Most often, the range of parameters ranges from 280-400 nm, and this allows the same type of equipment to be used for the polymerization of any material - gel polish, acrylic, shellac.
The lamps are turned on “manually” using a mechanical toggle switch/switch, but you can control the operating mode of the device in different ways:
- using a timer - the master automatically sets the time for exposure to light on nails;
- using a conventional switch - the specialist himself stops the light exposure;
- combined - the lamp has both a timer and a manual switch.
How much does a gel polish lamp cost?
How much a gel polish lamp will cost depends on the quality level of the equipment, the name of the device manufacturer, and the type of lamp, but general price data is as follows:
- Professional devices are the most expensive, and among them CCFL and LED lamps are particularly expensive - you will have to pay between 20-50 thousand rubles. This category of luxury goods includes hybrid lamps, the cost of which starts from 40 thousand rubles.
The cheapest, but no less effective, are devices that work with ultraviolet light - professional products will cost an average of 10 thousand rubles.
- Equipment for drying gel polish made in China is in the average price range; their cost ranges from 3-5 thousand rubles per lamp with ultraviolet light, and more modern models (LED) can be purchased for 5-7 thousand rubles. Lamps from domestic manufacturers also fall into this category.
The cost of equipment is not an indicator of its quality, because often these lamps are distinguished by their long service life, efficiency, maintainability, and ease of use.
- The cheapest lamps are from virtually unknown manufacturers; they can be purchased for 600 rubles, and the maximum cost of such products is only 2 thousand rubles. This equipment is distinguished by ease of use, limited capabilities, and short service life.
It is not correct to choose a lamp for drying gel polish based only on its cost; you need to take into account other criteria, the degree of importance of which is determined individually.
Summing up
When choosing one design or another, you need to adequately assess your capabilities as a craftsman and your financial situation. Buying a new product for $600 with a minimum number of clients is impractical, as well as saving on the purchase if there are people, but the master physically does not have time to cope with the flow.
On the one hand, such a new product will be a serious contribution to the work. On the other hand, clients love craftsmen who work quickly and professionally.
We told you how these or those devices differ from each other, but the choice is still yours.
VIDEO: How to choose the right LED lamps for drying nails
How to choose a lamp for drying gel polish, how much do they cost?
You can choose a lamp for drying gel polish and find out how much they cost, taking into account the types of such equipment.
| Lamp type | Brief description, price | Photo |
| Ultraviolet | They can be with touch and mechanical control, the power ranges from 9-54 kW, suitable for the polymerization of almost all materials. The price is within 3 thousand rubles. |
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| LED lamps | They are distinguished by a high drying speed of gel polish and a long service life without replacing light elements. The price ranges from 5-8 thousand rubles. |
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| CCFL devices (cold cathode) | They are distinguished by high power, have a timer and manual control of modes, and have a wide spectrum of radiation. The cost is around 7 thousand rubles on average. |
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| Hybrid | They combine cold cathodes and LED elements, dry any type of gel polish equally quickly and efficiently, and are distinguished by high power. The price of equipment starts from 20 thousand rubles. |
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Ultraviolet (UV)
UV lamps are the simplest and cheapest option among equipment for drying gel polish. Initially they were of a simple design, but subsequent models were produced with fluorescent light bulbs. Main characteristics of ultraviolet lamps for gel polish:
- power – ranges from 9-54 kW;
- control method - touch or manual;
- material drying time – 30 seconds – 1.5 minutes;
- capacity is large, you can dry two hands at the same time;
- what it is used for - for almost all types of gel polishes.
The pronounced advantages of ultraviolet lamps include relatively low cost, varied design of the device and a wide range of uses. But there is also a drawback to such equipment - the closer the day for mandatory lamp replacement is, the worse the drying of the coating goes; it can curl and bubble.
This is considered the most budget option, but a little outdated. Gel polish takes a long time to dry in such a device, has impressive dimensions and periodically requires replacement of light bulbs. The disadvantages also include the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and nail plates - they dry out greatly. The problem is solved by using moisturizing cosmetics such as creams and cuticle oils.
LED lamps
These are LED devices that “entered” the accessory market relatively recently. They have the following quality characteristics:
- the most popular LED lamp power is 6 W;
- nail drying time – maximum 30 seconds;
- may have built-in LED lamps on the top/bottom and on the sides;
- equipped with an automatic shutdown timer;
- Suitable for working with all types of gel polish.
Such lamps operate on LED elements, and this automatically reduces energy costs. Even if 1-2 light bulbs burn out in the device, the drying efficiency will not decrease.
The only drawback of LED lamps is their cost: it is several orders of magnitude higher than ultraviolet equipment, but relatively acceptable for purchasing a device even for home use.
Gas light with cold light
These lamps are equipped with cold cathodes and have a high price, but it is fully justified by their high quality characteristics:
- extremely low power consumption;
- rays of light do not have a negative effect on the eyes, skin or nail plates;
- drying is carried out quickly, literally in a few seconds for each layer;
- long service life of the equipment.
Gas-light lamps for drying gel polish with cold light have recently begun to be used by nail industry professionals, so you should not purchase them for home use. The price of lamps is too high, making it advisable to purchase cheaper options.
Hybrid
Hybrid lamps combine two sources of light waves - LED and CCFL, which makes them most effective specifically for drying gel polish. Their quality characteristics:
- the average power of hybrid lamps is 48 watts, professional models reach 66 watts;
- the device is equipped with a timer; you can set the lamps to automatically turn off after the time has elapsed for the next layer to dry;
- the chamber is designed for drying one hand;
- “works” equally effectively with any type of decorative coating;
- long service life.
Since hybrid lamps can be used for drying any types of gel polish (including acrylic, bio), it is advisable to purchase them for those who “handle” many clients and have to work with different materials.
Mini lamp
The main difference between a mini-lamp and a regular device is its size, which is as compact as possible. They allow you to dry only a few fingers at a time; most often they are used to dry just 1 finger.
Such devices have:
- open body design;
- weak focusing of ultraviolet light on the nail plate;
- negative effect on nails and the skin around them (very dry);
- low power.
Mini lamps for drying gel polish can be of different types of radiation, but experts recommend choosing LED devices. Disadvantages of such compact equipment:
- the polymerization time for all nails is long, because the procedure has to be done with each nail separately;
- the design does not provide additional functions such as a fan or reflector;
- low radiation power;
- there is no tray.
But such equipment also has undeniable “advantages” - they are powered not only from the mains, but also from a laptop, and are portable (they can easily fit even in a handbag).
The cost of devices of this type is low and starts from 300 rubles. The lamp body is made of cheap plastic, so when purchasing you need to pay attention to the absence of chips and “sagging”.
RuNail 36 WRU 911
The device is widely used both by girls at home and by nail industry professionals. RuNail 36 W RU 911 looks like a “tunnel” and weighs 1.5 kg. The device is equipped with 4 fluorescent lamp elements of 9 Watt each.
There is a timer with 3 modes. The only disadvantages include the warranty period established by the company, which is equal to 3 months, which may imply short-term operation.
Lamp for gel polish: which one is better according to reviews from experts, rating
The rating of the best lamps for gel polish was compiled based on reviews from masters, so even when choosing such equipment for home use, you should be guided by them.
| Gel lamp drying lamp model | a brief description of | Photo |
| Solomeya | Manufactured in Britain, on the market since 1999, equally suitable for professional and home use |
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| Planet Nails | From a German manufacturer, it is distinguished by high quality and affordable price, suitable for working with any type of varnish |
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| ruNail | Russian production, characterized by an optimal combination of quality and price. Polymerization can be carried out on all fingers of one hand at once. |
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| TNL | Korean brand, on the market since 2008, the lamps can be used to dry 5 fingers at the same time. |
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| SUN | The lamp is from a Chinese manufacturer; the equipment entered the market only in 2016; it operates in different modes and has a touch sensor. |
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5th place – Solomeya lamps
Such equipment is designed for drying any gel polishes, if they have marks on the possibility of combining the material with ultraviolet rays and LEDs. The drying speed of one layer is 10 seconds, sometimes 15-20 seconds. They are multifunctional:
- can be used for manicure and pedicure;
- equipped with a removable magnetic bottom;
- make it possible to polymerize 5 fingers of one hand at the same time;
- operating life exceeds 50,000 hours.
Craftsmen note that the lamp dries gel polish efficiently, has an interesting design (can vary, there is a decent choice) and an average cost.
But the manufacturer Solomeya has some drawbacks - the range of cosmetic equipment does not include lamps for drying hybrid gel polish.
4th place – Planet Nails
Such lamps are suitable for working with any materials for decorative coating of nails - gel polishes, biogels, shellac, permanent varnishes. The service life of the device is up to 50 thousand hours, the case is equipped with a timer - it can be set for 30, 60 and 120 seconds of continuous light emission.
Experts note the following advantages of lamps from this manufacturer:
- varied design;
- The range includes all types of lamps, including hybrid ones;
- polymerization of gel polish is carried out with the highest quality.
Watch the video about the DEVICE gel polymerization lamp from Planet Nails:
But there are also “disadvantages”: the cost of the product is above average, in most cases the declared operating life of the device does not correspond to reality.
3rd place – ruNail
A Russian-made lamp, which has a fairly low cost, but also high quality. Experts recommend paying attention to the following “advantages” of this model:
- the range is quite large;
- the working life of 50,000 hours fully corresponds to the declared one;
- The device has a timer, display and removable bottom.
The design of the ruNail lamp allows you to immediately dry gel polish on 5 fingers of one hand, and there will be no harmful effects of light radiation. The manufacturer also has some drawbacks - for example, there are no hybrid lamps in the range, and complaints about insufficiently high-quality polymerization are occasionally received.
2nd place – TNL lamps
The products of the Korean manufacturer must undergo several stages of testing before going on sale, so the quality of polymerization is very high and all declared characteristics correspond to reality:
- relatively low cost of equipment;
- can be used for manicure and pedicure;
- suitable for drying all types of gel polish;
- allows you to dry 5 fingers on one hand at the same time.
The product range does not include hybrid type lamps, although they are considered the most popular and effective nail industry professionals.
1st place – SUN
The Chinese company has been on the market for cosmetics products for quite some time, but lamps for drying gel polish have recently gone on sale from the SUN brand. This is universal equipment that is optimally suited for the polymerization of gel polishes and hard materials. It is equipped with several light bulbs at once, the power is high, which allows you to dry 5 fingers of one hand at the same time. The lamps have the following characteristics:
- suitable for manicure and pedicure;
- work in several modes;
- equipped with touch sensors;
- have a removable bottom and a timer for automatic shutdown.
But even the lamp that took first place in the rating, the experts found shortcomings - the design of the device is monotonous, the company’s assortment does not include hybrid models.
Tips for choosing a model for your home
The main criterion when choosing a manicure lamp for the home is ease of use. In addition, the compactness of the device is important for home manicurists. Nail technician beginners are advised to use an ultraviolet lamp at home. It’s much easier to practice with it, and it doesn’t require a lot of investment. The UV device's versatility also speaks in favor. It copes with any coating, unlike LED, for which specialized shellacs are produced.
If your budget and skills allow, we recommend taking a closer look at hybrid models, because they combine two types of radiation. And forget about weak lamps (9-12 W). The coating in them takes a very long time to dry, and time today is a valuable and expensive resource.
Advice! Choose tabletop UV lamps with retractable or removable bottoms. This will make it easier to replace the light bulbs when their lifespan comes to an end or they break down on their own.
It is better to choose a device with a power of at least 36 W and with a timer. Counting seconds will help novice craftsmen, because the coating will harden correctly, evenly, exactly as long as it takes.
Lamp for polymerization of gel polish: the best types for professionals and home craftsmen
For professionals and home craftsmen, it is better to buy the following types of lamps for polymerizing gel polish:
- ultraviolet - the quality is good, but it is better to purchase those devices that are equipped with fluorescent lamps;
- LED - practically safe for health, significantly reduces the hardening time of the coating material.
Ultraviolet lamps LED lamps
Beginners and those who use gel polishes for their own needs are recommended to buy mini lamps. Yes, they have low efficiency and take a long time to dry each layer of varnish, but they are easy to use and cheap.
Lamp power for drying gel polish
The optimal lamp power for drying gel polish is 36-48 W; with such light radiation, even the most pigmented varnishes dry in 60 seconds. In general, when choosing equipment based on power parameters, you need to take into account the following nuances:
- for varnishes that are applied in several layers, a power of 36-48 W will be sufficient, but for material in one dense layer such radiation is not enough - the drying time will increase to 2-3 minutes;
- There are more powerful lamps on sale (up to 80-90 W), which make it possible to dry each layer of varnish within 10-20 seconds.
Experts recommend that home users opt for the 24-48 W setting, because this is quite enough for high-quality and quick drying of standard gel polish. If we are talking about professional application of gel polish, then the power of the equipment should be much higher - up to 90 W. Such devices must be used taking into account the following features:
- if a woman’s nail plate is thin, then powerful lamps will burn strongly, and the client will experience severe discomfort;
- it is possible to get a burn to the nail bed under the influence of very powerful ultraviolet rays;
- the nail may fall away from the “flesh”, as a result of which a void is formed and fungal colonies settle in it.
To avoid unpleasant consequences, you should choose really high-quality lamps for drying gel polish - powerful, but from well-known manufacturers and with the ability to set several modes.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer plays a big role when choosing a lamp for manicure. The highest quality devices for drying gel and shellac are made by a European or American manufacturer. Chinese lamps are a budget option for amateur craftsmen; they are not of good quality, and therefore cannot boast of durability. Some of the most popular manufacturers that produce high-quality lamps are the following brands:
- SUN
- TNL Professional
- RuNail
- Planet Nails
- Velena
- Pierre Rene
- Elle by Beurer
- Dona Jerdona
- Global fashion
What parts are needed for the lamp for gel polish?
The lamp may contain additional functions and parts that are needed to work with gel polish:
- auto-on - the light begins to flow immediately after you raise your hand to the elements, but the function may not work on tips, in which case you will need to independently monitor the drying time;
- the presence of a display is a useful function if the master must independently control the time of exposure to light on the nail plates;
- thermal control - regulates the flow of light and power, and this minimizes burning in the nails;
- energy saving mode - will be relevant if there is “weak” wiring in the house/apartment.
CND UV Lamp 36W
The device is often used by manicurists and pedicurists. Compared to analogues, the model has a number of advantages.
It has a display with a countdown and power display, the possibility of manual control and a number of additional functions for comfortable use (removable tray, convenient carrying handle).
Which gel polish is suitable for an LED lamp?
The following types of gel polishes are suitable for the LED lamp:
- UV/LED – the marking on the bottle indicates the versatility of the product, which polymerizes perfectly in any type of lamp;
- LED - these letters on the bottle indicate that the varnish is only suitable for working with LED lamps; drying ends in 30-40 seconds.
If the gel polish is marked UV, then it is better not to take risks and not use it for drying in an LED lamp - the coating will harden for too long, it may immediately begin to peel off and bubble.
Features of operating a manicure machine
Manicure machines (lamps for drying gel polish) are used for each procedure, the algorithm for performing it will be as follows:
- The nails are trimmed, given the desired shape, and the cuticle is cut/removed.
- Each nail plate is degreased, otherwise even the most powerful lamp will not ensure reliable fixation of the coating material to the nails.
- The base coat is applied - the layer should be as thin as possible. The layer is dried in a lamp.
- Gel polish (shellac) is applied, after which drying is carried out again.
Applying gel polish to nails
1 of 4
We prepare the nail plate
Degrease the nail plate
Apply base coat
Apply gel polish
Drying time depends on the type of lamp used:
- ultraviolet – on average 3 minutes;
- LED (LED) – 60 seconds;
- CCFL – on average 2 minutes;
- hybrid – 30-60 seconds.
Lamps for drying gel polish can be selected according to different parameters - type of light radiation, manufacturer, wave flow power. It is important to decide how often the equipment will be used and what coating materials are intended to be used. Last but not least, you need to pay attention to the price of the device - some cheap models are distinguished by high quality characteristics.
Additional recommendations
The durability and beauty of the coating depends not only on the artist, but also on the client. It is very important to explain to him how to properly hold his hand in the lamp, and how not to do it. The following tips will help you dry your gel polish perfectly:
- place your hand under the lamp strictly parallel to the table, otherwise streaks will form;
- the hand should be relaxed and the fingers should be slightly protruded so that the coating on the side rollers does not remain wet;
- saturated dark and white shades need to be polymerized longer than pastel and translucent shades;
- Thumbs should be dried separately; as a rule, they are dealt with last.
